Why Shetland?

The bustling
archipelago of Shetland, with its oceanic climate, lies across the 60th
line of Latitude North, with the capital,
Lerwick, almost sitting in the centre of a triangle formed by connecting
Aberdeen (Scotland), with Bergen (Norway) and Torshavn (Faroe Islands). The southern tip of the Shetland mainland is
about 100 miles from the nearest point on mainland Scotland. More than a hundred islands, just 15 of them inhabited (approximately 22,200 people), span the hundred miles betweenFair Isleand Out Stack, the northernmost point of
Britain.

Visit Shetlandat any time of
year and you'll be enchanted by the
rugged beauty of the landscape. The
dramatically changing colours and textures will take your breath away. There are many areas set aside to protect the
local fauna
and flora,
including a number of important seabird nesting sites. With over
1,500km of coastline and 138 sandy beaches, spectacular scenery is around
every corner. Although you
can walk almost anywhere, a great deal of work has recently gone into marking
and improving some of the more popular walking routes, ensuring that they are
have stiles wherever necessary.

Shetland also boasts several major archaeological sites, with new
discoveries continually being made. Wherever you go you can see evidence of people who lived here thousands
of years ago. The best preserved broch in the world is on
the island ofMousa
(South Mainland) and Clickimin Broch, another good example,
stands by a loch in the middle of Lerwick. In addition, the recent archaeological dig at
Old Scatness
(South Mainland) has turned up some amazing finds. Also in the South
Mainland is the ancient settlement of Jarlshof, with a record of human
occupation going back 5,000 years. The
quality and importance of Shetland's archaeological sites was
recognised by the 2006 Rough Guide to Scotland, where Mousa broch was named as
Scotland's top visitor attraction with Jarlshof coming third.

Shetland is famous as a world-class location
for bird watching, as well
as seal and otter spotting. The several wildlife reserves located in Shetland
are testament to the islands' pristine environment. Shetland is also home to some unique species
which have adapted to the islands, such as the wonderful miniature Shetland ponies.

However, there is much more to Shetland than
the awe-inspiring nature and wildlife.
Shetland has a unique culture,
as you'd expect of an island group that has been inhabited for over 6,000
years. This is evident in the dialect, heritage, place names
and it’s world-renowned traditional
music.

Shetland’s early historic period was dominated by Scandinavian influences, especially Norway, with the islands
only becoming part of Scotland during the fifteenth century. This joint Norse/Scottish heritage is celebarted in the popular Up Helly Aa
fire festival (last Tuesday in January), and Shetland’s traditional music both of which attract visitors from far and wide.
The islands have also produced numerous writers
of prose and poetry, many of whom use the local dialect.

When Shetland became part of the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707, trade with
northern Europe decreased, although fishing
has remained an important aspect of the economy up to the present day. The discovery of North Sea oilin the 1970s significantly boosted Shetland
incomes, employment and public sector revenue.

A
substantial amount of the funds Shetland has gained from oil have been invested
in state-of-the art leisure
centres. The largest of these is the
Clickimin
Leisure Complex in Lerwick,
(see information on Lerwick) but other parts of the islands are extremely well
provided for too. The
islands of Yell, Unst and Whalsay each
have a leisure centre with games hall, squash court, swimming pool and a range
of fitness facilities as does Aith on the west side of Shetland. At Sandwick, in the
south mainland, there is a swimming pool and games hall. Brae in the
north, has a swimming pool with fitness suite and squash court and Shetland’s
old capital, Scalloway
(approximately 6 miles west of Lerwick) has a swimming pool.

Most
districts have well maintained, outdoor pitches and children’s play areas and
there are two 18-hole golf courses in
Shetland, at Dale (near Lerwick) and Skaw Taing on the island of Whalsay. There
are also two nine-hole courses, at
the Knab in Lerwick and Asta, just
north of Scalloway.

Inspired
by Shetland's scenery, heritage and culture, Shetland’s Arts and Crafts producers offer a unique and diverse range of products, including, woodcraft,
knitwear/textiles, fancy goods and fine art. Shetland’s Arts & Crafts Association launched Shetland’s Craft Trail in 2011, which resulted in around 40
craftspeople opening their workshops or studios to visitors throughout the isles. In addition, many of the items produced are
available in shops on Commercial Street,
the quaint old town shopping street in the centre of Lerwick.

Whether visiting our islands for business or pleasure, on your own or
with friends or family, Shetland has so
much to offer. In fact, as many
visitors find, once will never be
enough!